Matt Damon says it was ‘painful’ being BFFs with Ben Affleck

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have one of Hollywood's longest-standing friendships, first meeting as kids aged just eight and ten.

But in a new interview, Matt reveals his relationship with Ben hasn't always been easy – quite the opposite in fact.

Ben's career has developed hugely in recent years, with a series of critically acclaimed films and even an Oscar for his work on Argo.

But back in the early Noughties he had a very different image, which Matt says was hard to deal with.

"Ten years ago, the public image of him could not have been farther apart from who he actually is," he tells The Hollywood Reporter.

With films like Gigli, Bounce and Jersey Girl on the go, plus a blossoming romance with J-Lo, Matt admits it was hard to see his long-time friend living a life that wasn't authentic.

"It was like he was being cast in a role, that he was a talentless kind of meathead, with his whole relationship with Jennifer Lopez.

"He just got cast as this person that he wasn't." 

And though Ben seemed fairly happy with his lot, Matt says it was tough on their friendship.

"It was just really painful. It was painful to be his friend, because it wasn't fair, you know? To my mind, nobody really got him at all." 

Not to worry though, as Ben finally got his pal's approval in the end.

"Through his work, he climbed from the bottom of the mountain all the way back up to the top," Matt says. "And past where either of us had ever been."

Compliment or insult? Hard to tell…